Japan Frescobol Association (JFBA) to Hold "Kudzu Removal Operation & Frescobol Free Experience/Practice Session" at Takadamatsubara Beach on May 24th (Sun) as a Pre-event for "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026"
The Japan Frescobol Association (JFBA) announced a pre-event for the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026" on May 24th at Takadamatsubara Beach in Rikuzentakata City. The event includes a kudzu vine removal operation and a free Frescobol experience/practice session, aiming to revitalize the waterfront area and contribute to environmental conservation in the region affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 20:00
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The Japan Frescobol Association (JFBA, represented by Kenji Kuboshima), which promotes "frescobol, a communication design sport that travels," in Japan, announces that it will hold a "Kudzu Removal Operation & Frescobol Free Experience/Practice Session" at Takadamatsubara Beach on May 24th (Sunday) as a pre-event for the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026."
Although pine trees grow vigorously, highly reproductive kudzu vines are entangling pine trunks and causing them to wither.
The first official Frescobol tournament at Takadamatsubara Beach in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, was held in 2022. Following an invitation from the Rikuzentakata City Tourism and Product Association, the JFBA has been holding official tournaments since 2022 to bring back the vibrancy to the waterfront of this coast, where approximately 70,000 pine trees disappeared due to the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
This year, as a pre-event for the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026," the "Kudzu Removal Operation & Frescobol Free Experience/Practice Session" is planned for May 24th (Sunday). The kudzu will be removed from Takadamatsubara between 10:00 and 12:00, followed by a free Frescobol experience and practice session from 13:00 to 15:00. This is a collaborative project by the JFBA, Sanriku Frescobol Club, Kesennuma Frescobol Club, and Iwate University Frescobol Club AMENIMOMAKE'S. Citizens are welcome to participate in both the kudzu removal and the Frescobol experience/practice session. On the day of the event, JFBA Director Sho Yamashita, who has experience as a Japan national team member, will participate as a navigator and instructor.
Many players attend the Rikuzentakata tournament as it is a popular event. Last year, it featured "disaster prevention and mitigation goods to bring to the beach."
The findings on the "Takadamatsubara Kudzu Problem" obtained through the pre-event will be announced to participating players during the halftime show of the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026" held on August 8-9. The project will proceed with the aim of collectively considering "waterfront vitality" through Frescobol.
■ Event Overview
◯ Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
◯ Content: [Morning Session] 10:00 - 12:00 = Kudzu Removal Activity
[Afternoon Session] 13:00 - 15:00 = Frescobol Free Experience & Practice Session
◯ Location: Takadamatsubara Beach, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture
◯ Organizer: Japan Frescobol Association (JFBA)
◯ Co-organizers: JFBA Certified Regional Clubs "Sanriku Frescobol Club," "Kesennuma Frescobol Club," and "Iwate University Frescobol Club AMENIMOMAKE'S"
*This event is a pre-event for the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026" to be held on August 8-9. It is being held as part of the "Waterfront Kizuna Project," which supports various activities on the waterfront of disaster-affected regions.
■ What is "Frescobol, a communication design sport that travels"?
Frescobol is a beach sport originating from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was conceived on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in 1945 and is now enjoyed on beaches worldwide. The greatest feature of Frescobol is that two players facing each other do not compete but cooperate to keep the rally going, making it a scoring sport. The game lasts for 5 minutes, maintaining a distance of 7 meters. From the way players cooperate to continue the rally, it is also called the "sport of consideration." The JFBA, in basic agreement with the Rio Frescobol Federation (FEFERJ) in October 2025, is working towards establishing UAFI, the world's first international organization for unifying rules. In Japan, based on the unique Frescobol culture of "traveling and enjoying Frescobol all year round," the JFBA is strengthening its promotion activities as a sport highly compatible with sports tourism. Domestically, 29 certified regional clubs and 5 certified student organizations are currently registered.
Although pine trees grow vigorously, highly reproductive kudzu vines are entangling pine trunks and causing them to wither.
The first official Frescobol tournament at Takadamatsubara Beach in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, was held in 2022. Following an invitation from the Rikuzentakata City Tourism and Product Association, the JFBA has been holding official tournaments since 2022 to bring back the vibrancy to the waterfront of this coast, where approximately 70,000 pine trees disappeared due to the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
This year, as a pre-event for the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026," the "Kudzu Removal Operation & Frescobol Free Experience/Practice Session" is planned for May 24th (Sunday). The kudzu will be removed from Takadamatsubara between 10:00 and 12:00, followed by a free Frescobol experience and practice session from 13:00 to 15:00. This is a collaborative project by the JFBA, Sanriku Frescobol Club, Kesennuma Frescobol Club, and Iwate University Frescobol Club AMENIMOMAKE'S. Citizens are welcome to participate in both the kudzu removal and the Frescobol experience/practice session. On the day of the event, JFBA Director Sho Yamashita, who has experience as a Japan national team member, will participate as a navigator and instructor.
Many players attend the Rikuzentakata tournament as it is a popular event. Last year, it featured "disaster prevention and mitigation goods to bring to the beach."
The findings on the "Takadamatsubara Kudzu Problem" obtained through the pre-event will be announced to participating players during the halftime show of the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026" held on August 8-9. The project will proceed with the aim of collectively considering "waterfront vitality" through Frescobol.
■ Event Overview
◯ Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
◯ Content: [Morning Session] 10:00 - 12:00 = Kudzu Removal Activity
[Afternoon Session] 13:00 - 15:00 = Frescobol Free Experience & Practice Session
◯ Location: Takadamatsubara Beach, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture
◯ Organizer: Japan Frescobol Association (JFBA)
◯ Co-organizers: JFBA Certified Regional Clubs "Sanriku Frescobol Club," "Kesennuma Frescobol Club," and "Iwate University Frescobol Club AMENIMOMAKE'S"
*This event is a pre-event for the "Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026" to be held on August 8-9. It is being held as part of the "Waterfront Kizuna Project," which supports various activities on the waterfront of disaster-affected regions.
■ What is "Frescobol, a communication design sport that travels"?
Frescobol is a beach sport originating from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was conceived on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in 1945 and is now enjoyed on beaches worldwide. The greatest feature of Frescobol is that two players facing each other do not compete but cooperate to keep the rally going, making it a scoring sport. The game lasts for 5 minutes, maintaining a distance of 7 meters. From the way players cooperate to continue the rally, it is also called the "sport of consideration." The JFBA, in basic agreement with the Rio Frescobol Federation (FEFERJ) in October 2025, is working towards establishing UAFI, the world's first international organization for unifying rules. In Japan, based on the unique Frescobol culture of "traveling and enjoying Frescobol all year round," the JFBA is strengthening its promotion activities as a sport highly compatible with sports tourism. Domestically, 29 certified regional clubs and 5 certified student organizations are currently registered.